Carey Price‘s No. 31 will not be retired by the Montreal Canadiens for now. Owner Geoff Molson said it is too early to discuss putting Price’s number in the rafters.
Molson spoke about the possibility during an interview with RDS. He praised Price’s career but said the Canadiens are not currently talking about a jersey retirement.
“It’s too early for that right now, and we’re not having discussions about it. He was among the best goaltenders in the world when he played, and we’re very proud of him.”
Carey Price will still be honored by Montreal this season. The Canadiens will add his name to the Bell Centre’s Ring of Honour on Nov. 10, shortly before his induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
After Habs shared Molson’s comments on X, they quickly sparked a debate among Canadiens fans over whether Price’s number should eventually be retired. One fan wrote:
“Sharks gonna retire it instead”
Another fan wrote:
“I loved Carey as a goalie, but not sure if they should retire his Jersey.”
One fan said Price’s lack of a Stanley Cup should matter when Montreal eventually makes the decision:
“As much as it pains me to say it, because I love Carey and what he gave to the team and city…. Good answer, by Geoff. No Cups? Your number doesn’t get retired. The Habs are not the Leafs.”
The discussion also brought some jokes about other long-time Canadiens players.
“Might as well retire Gallys number as well since he played for us a long time and didn’t win anything for us either lol.”
Another fan took the opposite view and suggested there should not be much debate when the time comes:
“Should be a pretty short discussion whenever they decide to start it.”
For now, Montreal’s next tribute to Carey Price will be the Ring of Honour. His No. 31 retirement will have to wait.
Carey Price’s career puts him among Montreal’s all-time greats
Carey Price spent 15 seasons with the Montreal Canadiens and finished as the franchise’s all-time leader in wins by a goaltender with 361. Price also had a season that put him in rare company. He became only the fifth goaltender in NHL history to win the Vezina Trophy and Hart Trophy in the same season.
Price also won Olympic gold with Canada at the 2014 Sochi Games. He went 5-0 in the tournament with a 0.60 goals-against average and a .972 save percentage.
He was passed over for the Hockey Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility, but was selected for the Class of 2026. Price will become the 62nd Canadiens player inducted into the Hall.
Shea Weber was the last Canadiens player added to the Bell Centre’s Ring of Honour when he was honored in 2024. Carey Price will now join him there on Nov. 10, adding another honor to his time in Montreal.
Edited by Sonali Verma